Franck Juhel

Having previously held senior leadership roles at global luxury brands including Cartier, with extensive international retail experience, Franck joined TRIUM in order to strengthen his global business outlook and to expose himself to new concepts and innovative business thinking. Franck recently spoke with TRIUM about what excites him about developing new business territories, the rewards of the Capstone Project, and the incalculable value the TRIUM community and relationship to his cohort has added to his endeavors.

Why did you decide to pursue an EMBA?

I was at a stage in my career when I had been in the same market and region for a number of years successfully growing our business across LATAM. What I felt I needed was to broaden my knowledge and strengthen my business outlook from a more global perspective, and to be exposed to new concepts, new approaches and the latest business thinking.

Why did you choose TRIUM?

TRIUM brings together three of the best business schools in the world, and by doing so, collectively elevates the program by providing the best of the best from each one. TRIUM is not simply a global executive MBA by content, it is also by location and physical geography. Participating in modules that were delivered in key cities and countries relevant for that particular focus was inordinately valuable. Learning about Asian financial markets while attending NYU Shanghai, or entrepreneurship and technology from Silicon Valley, adds a depth to comprehension and insight that can’t be gained from being in a single faculty in another part of the world for the duration of a program. This style of learning is invaluable.

I would also say the caliber of the executives on the TRIUM program was also a significant factor – learnings would come from each of them given their experience and leadership role they play in their respective fields.

In 2017, you were named the President of Montblanc’s operations across the Middle East, India and Africa. This followed three years as president for Montblanc Latin America, Caribbean, and Travel Retail Americas. What excites you about working in these regions?

Both are regions that are complex, dynamic and offer significant potential. They are fast growing, with an evolving and not always structured economy, but with exceptional opportunity for Montblanc to be the pioneer in these markets. Montblanc is one of the most well-known and recognized luxury brands in the world, and that includes emerging markets like these. The opportunity to develop our business in new territories brings both advantages and challenges, but it is dynamic and fast-moving. That’s what excites me.

How did TRIUM’s global focus impact the way you approach this work that expands internationally?

There is no doubt that the global focus has been of enormous benefit to my understanding and approach to all elements of our business as we grow in these markets.

It has also helped me develop an authentic and collaborative network of exceptional business leaders around the world through my cohort that add real value to my understanding of the markets in which we operate.

How do approach your work differently after TRIUM?

The program has been invaluable, helping to develop me personally and most certainly professionally. It has honed my leadership style and approach to team management, and given me the knowledge to change operational elements in our work processes that have been quite transformative.
As I mentioned, being able to tap into market intelligence through my cohort network has also informed my decisions and approach to business in some of our markets. There is no price for that.

Can you reflect on your experience with your fellow cohort and the collaborative nature of TRIUM? What have you learned from your peers?

This value of this element of the program is exceptional. I have learnt about myself through my peers and learned from them. At work for most of the time I am the most senior executive in the room. At TRIUM you are with other business leaders who are your peers, and many of whom have more experience. Your opinion now becomes one of many rather than the deciding one. Working together at a similar level as a team was a dynamic experience.

I have made lifelong friends and developed a network of exceptional people that you would not normally be able to develop in one lifetime.

Your Capstone Project group won the Capstone Cup. What was the value of the experience?

Our approach to this project was an inversion of the traditional – we built our team and then considered the project, rather than the other way round. Our team brought strong expertise in their particular fields – entrepreneurship, finance, organizational management and marketing strategy.

It was an amazing adventure. Despite the busy working lives of all members of the team, we all did our share of the work, or helped to support another if he or she couldn’t fulfil a task.

A key learning for us was that we could approach a project knowing nothing about it, and make it into a viable operation with our collective knowledge and experience.

What do you perceive the return on investment will be for your TRUIM experience?

The value was immediate, with increased knowledge and learnings that I was able to apply straightaway, and with positive impact on our business.

From a non-quantifiable perspective, I would say the network created through the cohort, developing a circle of trust with business leaders from around the world in just 18 months, is a return on investment that is beyond calculation.

What advice would you have to those currently considering TRIUM?

Don’t under-estimate the sacrifice you will need to make, both personally and professionally, when you embark on this program. But also know that it is absolutely worth it.

How would you sum up your TRIUM experience in three words?

Life-changing. Sacrifice. Growth.